Toroa rides again

Todays sail was by way of a shake down to sort out those things that I added to make myself feel as though I know more than the old ones did.
Hah! every single extra control line tangled and fouled so I untied them and made a note to throw them out at the next opportunity.
The KISS principle prevails!

Paul Bowker was down at the Rawene ramp with a small but keen group of budding sailors in optimists and he was also on standby for the first trip out. Because Paul has gained so much experience on Te wheke his proa instincts make him my ideal choice of crew for a first time out. Our local librarian Mark was on the patrol boat, a reassuring presence on the water thanks Mark.

The weather was cold but with a favourable afternoon outlook, 10 - 15 knots of southeasterly breeze and cloudy.

Right off I got my shunting line crossed up so before we could shunt we had to re tie the line.
Toroa is much more docile than previously so the need for control lines seems unnecessary.
Toroa sits quietly with wind abeam waiting for me to sort myself out. It's been awhile OK?

From now on with this tacking mast I'm going to walk the tack of the sail from end to end myself and simply belay it at each end with a short line.

Toroa responds well and easily to butt steering.

Once I've de-cluttered I'll put my steering boards back in place.

All photos by Julie Holton.

























































































Butt steering















& more butt steering











































































Butt and paddle steering











































Looks to me like we can carry much more sail area.
Stand by for an order Gary